Diego Costa admitted his Chelsea past gave him added motivation to kill off Arsenal's and Arsene Wenger's Europa League dreams.

A fired up Costa tormented Arsenal once again with an inspired, rampant performance and the crucial tie-winning goal to dump the Gunners out of Europe.

It took the Spain striker's tally to four goals in seven games against Arsenal as he terrorised them during last night's semi-final second leg, just as he did during his days at their London rivals Chelsea.

Costa, 29, said: "I've played in England before and it motivates me a lot to play against Arsenal because I was at Chelsea.”

(Image: AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYSGABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

(Image: REUTERS/Sergio Perez)

Costa left Chelsea under a cloud after going AWOL in a bid to force a return to Atletico Madrid.

He finally got his wish last September when the two clubs agreed a deal but had to wait until January to play due to Atletico's transfer ban.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone said: “It was for nights like this that Costa joined us.

“He provided the fury and intensity that we needed, to be able to force opposition players into mistakes and assist his other teammates.”